Stabilizer for Stacked Gaming Chips

ABSTRACT

An article is provided for stabilizing a stack of gaming chips which includes:
         a circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and   a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns an article for stabilizing and aligning a stack of gaming chips.

2. The Related Art

Many games of chance, especially those types offered in gambling casinos, utilize replacement currency in lieu of cash. Normally this currency is in the form of casino discs referred to as token or chips. For purposes of describing this invention, the term “chip” or “chips” shall encompass all names given to disc-shaped replacement gambling currency.

Casinos use chips because their clientele are known to gamble more freely with these than with cash. There are also other reasons. Chips can be color coded and thereby readily have their value identified. Slotted trays can hold stacks of similar denominated chips with their color showing through the slots. These trays facilitate payment and purchase.

Chips being relatively lightweight (9-12 grams) are susceptible to scatter. Players corral them by placing one chip upon another to form a stack. Most casinos do not allow players to bring holding trays to the gaming table. The trays limit visibility of one player's available currency to viewing by the other players. Unfortunately, the free-standing stacks are vulnerable and do crash. Thus, there is a need for preventing or at least inhibiting instability of the stacked chips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article is provided for stabilizing a stack of gaming chips which includes:

-   -   a circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a         circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the         skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base         having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and     -   a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the         sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm;         the article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams.

A method is also provided for enhancing enjoyment of a person's gaming experience which includes:

-   -   (A) providing an article which includes:         -   a circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a             circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces,             the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the             base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and         -   a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the             sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8             cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams; and     -   (B) positioning the article in relation to gaming chips on a         gaming table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from consideration of the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan perspective view of a first article of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan perspective view of a second article of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan perspective view of the first article shown in FIG. 1 but with the sculpture removed; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the article highlighting a phrase molded into the skirt of the article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now I have developed an article which may be placed atop a stack of chips to reduce the risk of the stack crashing. Dimensions and weight of the article assist in achieving the purposes of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first article 2 which features a circular base 4, the base having a top surface 6 and a bottom surface 8. Between and joining the top and bottom surfaces is a skirt 10. The skirt may have a width (from edges extending from the top to the bottom surface) ranging in size from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, particularly from 0.4 to 0.6 cm. The base 4 may have a diameter ranging in size from 2.5 to 5 cm, particularly from 3 to 4 cm.

A sculpture 12 is attached to the top surface of the base. In certain embodiments, the sculpture is unitarily formed with the base. For instance, the unitary article may be formed by casting molten metal into a mold or by injection molding of a plastic. Where the article is formed of metal, the metal may be selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin, antimony, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and combinations thereof. Most useful is a combination of tin (85-99%) and minor amounts of copper, antimony, and bismuth. Pewter is a good choice of an alloy metal for articles of this invention. Where the article is formed of plastic, the plastic may be chosen from the group consisting of polyolefin (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene), polyester (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate), polyamid, polycarbonate, polyacrylate and polyvinylchloride. The article may be formed in combination of a metallic portion and a plastic portion.

By the term ‘sculpture’ is meant a three-dimensional work of art. The sculptures of articles 2 and 102 have the general character of a Buddha and of a monkey, respectively. Alternative characters may include an owl, a cowboy, a Lincoln, a dragon or a ‘peace sign’. Many other character types (e.g. a tree, a mountain, a building, etc.) or even abstract representations may be utilized for the sculpture.

Advantageously, in many of the embodiments the sculpture may have no greater diameter than that of the base (i.e. the sculpture does not protrude outward from the skirt border). In other embodiments, the sculpture may have portions of greater diameter than that of the base.

The sculptures of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are provided with a hand 14 and 114, respectively. These hands cradle at least one gaming card 16 and 116.

The sculpture at the highest point away from the base down to the bottom surface of the base may have a height ranging from 2 to 8 cm, particularly from 3.5 to 4.5 cm. The overall article may have a weight ranging from 30 to 150 grams, particularly from 60 to 120 grams. Optimum stability on a stack of chips is found within the height and weight parameters afore described.

FIG. 3 illustrates the base found in FIGS. 1 and 2 but the sculpture element has been removed to allow a better view. Orientation markers are provided on the top surface and skirt to allow alignment with markings on the chips and to properly direct a user's hand in grasping of the sculpture.

Two types of orientation markers are found in the Figures. One type is the solid patterned and the other type is the dot. Advantageously, the orientation markers are equidistantly distributed along the top surface, bottom surface and/or skirt. Each type on a particular surface or skirt may range from 4 to 12 in number, and most especially 6 in number.

FIGS. 2 and 3 each have a set of six first solid patterned markers 18 and 118 distributed on the top surface circumferentially spaced at 60 degree intervals around the circular base. A set of six extended solid patterned orientation markers 20 and 120 are distributed along the skirt; these are aligned with the respective markers 18 and 118 of the top surface.

Dot orientation markers are distributed along a periphery of the top surface. Advantageously, these markers are sets 22 each formed as a group with from one to six dots in a set. FIG. 3 illustrates first dot orientation marker 24, second dot orientation marker 26, third dot orientation marker 28, fourth dot orientation marker 30, fifth dot orientation marker 32, and sixth dot orientation marker 34. In the illustrated aspect, the dot orientation markers each have a coupled dot orientation marker on the top surface at 180 degrees distant along the circumference. The number of dots in total within both marker sets preferably is seven. For instance, note first and sixth dot orientation markers on opposite points along the circumference of the top surface which are coupled and have seven dots within their combined sets.

Further, the Figures show that the dot orientation markers alternate with the solid patterned orientation markers on the top surface.

The solid patterned orientation markers may be aligned with the extended orientation markers along the skirt. Between markers 20 are shown a word or phrase 38 of gaming encouragement. Illustrative but not limiting words/phrases include: Be Wise, Think, Take It, Lie Like a Pro, Have Fun, Relax, Be Smart, Focus, Be Magical, and Peace.

Besides improving the stability of gaming chip stacks, the articles can be a source of entertainment and enhancement of a person's pleasure in the gaming experience.

Although the invention has been described in accordance with certain embodiments, it will be seen by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made within the scope and purview of the invention, and there is no intention to limit the invention solely to these embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article for stabilizing a stack of gaming chips comprising: a circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams.
 2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the skirt has a width ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 cm.
 3. The article according to claim 1 wherein the base has a diameter ranging from 3 to 4 cm.
 4. The article according to claim 1 wherein the article has a weight ranging from 60 to 120 grams.
 5. The article according to claim 1 wherein the sculpture is unitarily formed with the base.
 6. The article according to claim 1 wherein all of the article is formed from metal.
 7. The article according to claim 6 wherein the article is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin, antimony, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and combinations thereof.
 8. The article according to claim 1 wherein the article is formed of pewter.
 9. The article according to claim 7 wherein the article is cast from molten metal and solidified by cooling.
 10. The article according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of orientation markers equidistantly distributed along the top surface of the base.
 11. The article according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of orientation markers ranges from 4 to 12 in number.
 12. The article according to claim 11 wherein the orientation markers is 6 in number.
 13. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation markers are circumferentially spaced at 60 degree intervals around the circular base.
 14. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation markers either project upwards beyond the top surface or are recessed below the top surface.
 15. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation markers each are unique and formed as sets of dots ranging in number from 1 to 6 dots per set.
 16. The article according to claim 10 wherein the orientation markers are solid patterned.
 17. The article according to claim 15 wherein two of the sets are spaced 180 degree apart along a circumference of the top surface and have dots that sum to 7 in number.
 18. The article according to claim 10 wherein the skirt comprises a plurality of extended orientation markers that align with each of the plurality of orientation markers on the top surface of the base.
 19. The article according to claim 18 wherein a word or phrase is molded into a section of the skirt between a pair of adjacent extended orientation markers.
 20. The article according to claim 1 wherein the sculpture comprises a figurine sculpted with a hand holding one or more gaming cards.
 21. A method for enhancing enjoyment of a person's gaming experience comprising: (A) providing an article comprising: a circular base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential skirt joining the top and bottom surfaces, the skirt having a width ranging from 0.25 to 1.2 cm, the base having a diameter ranging from 2.5 to 5 cm; and a sculpture attached to the top surface of the base, the sculpture and base together ranging in height from 2 to 8 cm; the article having a weight of from 30 to 150 grams; and (B) positioning the article in relation to gaming chips on a gaming table. 